WHAT ARE BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO ACIDS (BCAAs)?

BCAAs are a group of essential amino acids that play a key role in protein synthesis (a.k.a. muscle growth) and energy production. BCAAs include L-leucine, L-Valine and L-Isoleucine. BCAAs make up 35 to 40% of essential amino acids in total body protein!

HOW DO BCAAs WORK?

Because BCAAs are essential amino acids and cannot be made by the body, they must be ingested through food or supplementation. During exercise, BCAA metabolism in muscle tissue is increased. Therefore, after aerobic exercise (i.e., cardio) and anaerobic exercise (i.e., weight training) there is a significant decrease in plasma BCAA levels in muscle tissue. Supplementation with BCAAs prevents the exercise-induced decline in plasma BCAAs and increases BCAA concentration in muscle tissue. BCAA’s are the only amino acids that are not readily degraded in the liver. Therefore, an increase in supplemental BCAA’s will reliably increase their concentration in blood and muscle tissue! The end results: better performance, growth and recovery!

What is AstraGin? AstraGin™ is a natural and patented compound composed of highly fractionated Astragalus and Panax notoginseng. Multiple pre-clinical studies affirm AstraGin’s ability to significantly improve the absorption of critical nutrients, including amino acids like BCAAs! In several in-vivo and in-vitro studies, AstraGin™ has shown that it can improve amino acids absorption by up to 66.7%!

THE SCIENCE OF BRANCHED CHAIN AMINO ACIDS (BCAAs)

BCAAs & MUSCLE GROWTH

A countless number of scientific studies show the positive effects that BCAAs have on protein synthesis (muscle growth). BCAAs stimulate protein synthesis through multiple pathways. One of the major mechanisms by which BCAAs stimulate protein synthesis is through leucine’s activity in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Several human studies show increased protein synthesis and decreased protein breakdown when BCAA’s are supplemented before, during, and after exercise.

The Importance of the 45:30:25 BCAA Ratio

Although leucine is the most important of the BCAA’s in stimulating protein synthesis, all 3 BCAAs are critical for maximum growth and benefits. Supplementing with too much leucine and throwing off the ideal BCAA ratio can cause an amino acid imbalance and may have negative consequences. Excessive intake of leucine decreases the concentrations of valine and isoleucine in blood and muscle tissue. Keeping a dietary balance of BCAA’s is particularly important when compared with other amino acids. A high amount of dietary leucine (alone) in the long-term has been shown to depress food intake and growth in various studies. Thus, it is important to get all of the BCAA’s together and in the ideal ratio!

BCAAs & PERFORMANCE

BCAAs have a glycogen sparing effect and help maintain muscle and liver glycogen stores during exercise. By sparing glycogen, BCAAs can increase fuel supply to working muscle during exercise, resulting in greater performance!

Prevent Mental Fatigue

An additional mechanism for improved exercise performance from BCAAs is inhibition of central nervous system (CNS) fatigue. Exercise causes an increase in serotonin levels, and this can cause CNS fatigue. Since BCAA’s share the same transporter system with tryptophan (the serotonin precursor amino acid), BCAA supplementation causes competitive inhibition of tryptophan transport to the brain, which in turn reduces serotonin levels. Exercise increases the tryptophan/BCAA ratio in the bloodstream, and a BCAA supplement may prevent or reverse this. This means that BCAA’s could increase exercise performance by decreasing build up of serotonin in the brain. Multiple studies indicate that BCAA supplements successfully change the BCAA/tryptophan plasma ratio, especially during more prolonged exercise.

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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This Product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.